Fusion Flowers Magazine

Creativity with Flowers - Bouquets by Life3 96 pages Hardback Written in English Published 2006 by Stichting Kunstboek Photography by Helén Pe, Kurt Dekeyzer and Pim van der Maden.

AB The Life3 team of Per Benjamin, Max van de Sluis and Tomas De Bruyne have taken on a massive project in writing a series of instructional books aimed at students, professional florists wishing to update their skills and floral designers of all levels. Each book in the series covers a specific type of design and in this edition the subject of "Bouquets" is tackled with 21 different options on display.

The team clearly have different design influences - they come from very different countries and that is evident in their work. You can also tell that the cost of flowers is less in one country than another. Per's work (Swedish) shows that he can make the most of what is available in a highly decorative way. Max comes from the land of plenty (Holland) and that is clearly evident in his massed designs whereas Tomas (Belgium) shows that his style encompasses the classics but in this case it's given a contemporary twist.

Each bouquet shows step-by-step images and text but there is also a history of the subject complete with their views of the future and this has clear relevance when read by students starting out.

I am absolutely certain that this series of books will become handbooks for the future and have no hesitation in highly recommending them for all levels of designer. As is to be expected the photography is of a high standard. The books would make ideal gifts at any time of year.